Recent Developments

Assembly of the Harbourfront Lands

Toronto's Harbourfront lands were assembled by the Government of Canada in the early 1970s and placed under the management of the Harbourfront Corporation. The intent was to develop a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities along the City's waterfront in order to attract residential and commercial development. This development would, in turn, generate funds to be applied to the public infrastructure of the area, including the development of Harbourfront's parks and open space system.

Toronto City Council passed Official Plan documents in the 1980's, which provided direction for use and density for each major development site associated with the Harbourfront Lands.

Over the next decade, the limitations of this development framework became apparent, and Toronto City Council amended the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for Harbourfront. The amendment resulted in the designation of approximately 16 hectares (40 acres) of land within Harbourfront for public parks, a waters-edge promenade, and school/community centre uses. A 1992 Implementation Agreement set out a schedule to complete the remaining development parcels, infrastructure improvements, land transfers, and park improvements.

An Area Undergoing Change

Since that time, the number of residents living in the area has grown to over 4700. The Harbourfront Community Centre and the Waterfront Public School have been developed, a light rapid transit line has been completed, and Harbourfront Centre has become world-renowned for its programming in the arts, culture, education and recreation.

Significant parks and open spaces have also been completed, most notably the Toronto Music Garden. Inspired by the music of J.S. Bach, the park gardens were interpreted by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and garden designer Julie Moir Messervy. To the east, the Spadina Quay Wetland was also completed, a natural park and the first wetland on the north shore of the harbour in ninety years.

The development of the remaining residential and commercial development parcels within Harbourfront is now nearing completion and proceeds from these and other sources have recently become available for investment in the parks and open space system, now under the City's jurisdiction.